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kurs / course / workshop watercolor Watercolour

I needed to improve quickly

A good friend of mine asked me a few weeks back to do a watercolour demonstration for his daughter and her friend. He decided that he would also like to join in. I haven’t had any courses since last year mainly because I felt it took up too much of my time as an artist. The Corona virus has changed my outlook somewhat as I haven’t been earning much since it struck in back in March.

I was very pleased they wanted to learn from me but I was going to have to do some work beforehand. What subject would I paint? I’d need to practice the painting several times so I didn’t look like an idiot. So I did, I painted it twice on quarter-sheet, the first had an electric blue sky which I didn’t like, the second attempt pleased me though and so I felt ready for the demonstation.

The day after it was demontration time, to my relief the watercolour turned out fine. My students had fun applying what they had learned to their own paintings. I was happy with my wee course. I wonder now if I sould start offering courses again, I am not sure, what do you think?

Categories
Sketch watercolor Watercolour

It’s important to exercise each day.

I walk everyday, it’s very important for me to get outside and get a breath of fresh air. It’s so essential to leave the studio and let my eyes rest by viewing my surroundings, my neighbourhood. Yesterday, I was inspired by the sky, the earlier rain had ceased and left wonderful clouds to hang around for a while. I sat down on a damp bench and sketched. My aim was to capture the clouds, to study them and learn from what I saw. It’s an impression and I am quite happy with how my sketch turned out.

Categories
Sketch watercolor Watercolour

Watercolour sketch in the Kings Garden

This watercolour has got a great response on social media, I am very happy about that. Personally I think it is one of my better sketches. The scene was very complicated to begin with and so decoding it and getting it down on paper was a real challenge. A challenge that I really enjoyed. The weather was warm and sunny too, a wonderful day, I have a clear memory of it because of this sketch. I can’t rest on past success though, today I will paint another watercolour and try and improve my skills, every brush stroke should be beautiful.

Kungsträgården sketch 18 x 13 cm
Click the thumbnail below for the full-sized image.

kungsträgården
kungsträgården
Categories
Video watercolour video youtube

Painting willows and a fountain in central Stockholm – my latest video Ep24

In this video I paint a watercolour of the Kings Garden (KungsträgÃ¥rden) in central Stockholm. I have lots fun trying to capture the complicated scene that was in front of me. It was a beautiful day and I ended up very happy with my sketch, that doesn’t happen everyday.

Categories
Sketch watercolor Watercolour

This is what happens when I take a break

Danvikshem
Danvikshem

I am currently editing my latest “Painting Outdoors” video and it should be ready in the coming days I hope. I spend far too many hours in front of the computer screen so it’s really important to take breaks. And being a watercolour artist the natural thing for me to do is to paint a sketch while out getting some fresh air. These two watercolours are local views of DjurgÃ¥rden and Danvikshem, both are just a short walk from my where I live.

Categories
Sketch watercolor Watercolour

Painting watercolours and catching up with friends

Last weekend I met my life drawing friends. We’ve known each other for years so it has been tough not meeting them due to the pandemic. It was incredibly nice to meet finally, we sketched a little, I chose to paint the Vasa museum, a must see if you ever visit Stockholm. The high point of yesterday was not the sketching really but the coffee afterwards and the hours of happy chatting with the autumn sometimes reminding us it was on it’s way. Later in the evening I finished the sketch. I am experimenting more, it’s a lot of fun. 13 x 17.5 cm

If you would like to see my latest video click this link: https://youtu.be/h00hf9xXV7o
Sketching watercolours while cruising Ep23

Click the thumbnail below to see the original full-sized image.

Vasamuseet
Vasamuseet
Categories
demonstration watercolor Watercolour watercolour video

Watercolours while on holiday video

Grisselholmen
Grisselholmen

In this video I paint a watercolour scene of islands in the archipelago while on holidays. My goal with these demonstrations is to help others who are trying to or thinking of sketching outdoors. My tip for this episode is that there is rarely a perfect sketching location to be had. Just sit down somewhere quiet and start, that’s the hardest step.

The watercolour to the left is the one featured in the video. 13 x 18 cm

Categories
Sketch watercolor Watercolour

A laboured watercolour sketch

I painted this sketch from my van down by the water close to where I live. If I ignore all the scrubbing and scratching I think it has a nice feeling to it. Maybe it’s the simplicity of the composition, maybe it’s the sunny vibe or the girl looking out to sea. I would like to develop it further, do a studio version during the winter months when the warmth and the sunshine from the watercolour will be most welcome.

Click the thumbnail if you would like to see the full-sized image.

Looking out to sea at Nacka Strand

Categories
Video watercolor Watercolour watercolour video

How to save a watercolour sketch or not.

How I saved an outdoor sketch. This video isn’t for the sensitive watercolour painter, no this is probably the crudiest watercolour rescue hack on YouTube. Let me know what you think of it. Feedback is always welcome.


If you would like to see the actual watercolour sketch, click the thumbnail below